How To Soothe A Teething Baby
Teething baby gums can be painful for our precious little ones.
Teething is a normal stage of development for a baby.
We know listening to them cry can sometimes be unbearable. Knowing how to sooth a teething baby at night (and during the day) will benefit the child and the mental anguish of first-time parents.
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Indicators to watch for can help parents detect early signs and symptoms. Here’s a bit of insight to ponder when teething comes rearing onto reality.
We look at the teething age of babies, signs and symptoms, simple home remedies, signs of teething in breastfed babies, and how to lower irritability when baby teething begins.
What’s the Teething Age of Babies?
Teething at 3 months is too early if you’re wondering when teething starts. Although signs it's approaching can begin to take shape.
Here’s what to look for.
Babies may begin to feel the discomfort of the teething process as early as 3 months. The usual period to expect when baby teething time begins is typically at 6 months (but times can widely vary).
There’s no specific age babies start teething. It’s not an exact science.
What know is the lower central incisors are first to make an appearance.
The lower central incisors are the two bottom front teeth. Even though there is no specific pinpointed time for your baby to begin teething, there is a specific baby teething order.
A Baby Teething Timeline:
Lower central incisors (6 months)
Upper central incisors (8 months)
Lower and upper lateral incisors (10 months)
First molars (14 months)
Canines (18 months)
Infants develop at their own pace. So if timing is a bit off, no need to worry.
If a child doesn’t have their first tooth by age 18 months then go ahead and contact your baby’s doctor.
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A popular product that’s trending as far as teething baby toys is one made of natural rubber.
We recommend Moonjax Natural Rubber Baby Teething Toys.
These offer counter-pressure to the pressure of the teeth trying to break the gum’s surface, creating relief.
Or another option is going with a silicone teething ring. One that’s easy for baby to hold and economically priced.
We recommend an Easy Grip Teether Toy From Bella Tunno.
Be careful with ones filled with liquid. They could break under pressure from the gnawing.
Don’t provide an item that could break into small pieces. It’ll become a choking hazard.
What are Teething Baby Symptoms?
There can be a variety of things to look for in teething babies.
Symptoms include irritability, sore and tender gums, being cranky, crying spells, and disrupted patterns in eating and sleeping.
Some go through this transition painlessly and may just drool more and want to chew on things. Another sign is loss of appetite, cheek rubbing or ear pulling.
A baby teething with fever and diarrhea are not indicative of teething researchers suggest.
For teething in babies, symptoms are found in the mouth and gums only and not in the rest of the body according to researchers.
Other babies may not show any signs or symptoms of teething. Important to be aware of in case you get worried why your infant is not.
Quick recap, a teething baby fever should not be thought of as “fever = baby teething.”
There may be a significant alternative reason why your child may have a fever. Consult your child’s physician with any immediate concerns.
What are Signs of Teething In Breastfed Babies?
Teething baby signs in those who are breastfed are (for the most part) the same as other babies.
Gum pain, difficulty sleeping, irritability and bright red or flushed cheeks can be a box to check.
A rash or chaffing may develop from excessive drooling. A baby may latch differently while feeding when starting to teeth.
They may scrape teeth across the nipple when latching and de-latching.
Try rubbing a cold and wet washcloth along baby gums before latching to nurse. This may help in desensitizing the pain and prevent scraping.
Does Your Baby Bite While Nursing?
If your baby bites while nursing, conditioned learning is a way to discourage that behavior.
If they begin to bite, remove them from the breast. Over time your infant will associate biting with the end of feeding time and will soon avoid the action in order to keep feeding.
If nipples become cracked and sore from the occasional baby bite you may want to look into getting a nipple cream for soothing relief to make feeding more comfortable.
Make sure anything used is approved by the FDA. You can double check with your pediatrician as well.
What are Home Remedies for Teething Babies?
One of the home remedies for teething babies is to let a wet washcloth sit in the freezer from 20-40 minutes. Then let them chew on it.
This can help soreness and reducing redness causing un-comfortability. Don’t use anything frozen solid in the freezer such as popsicles or ice.
Another home remedy is to simply rub your baby’s gums using a clean finger or moistened gauze.
The pressure may ease their temporary discomfort. Try hard foods if your munchkin is consuming solid foods.
A chilled, peeled carrot or cucumber will do the trick. Try a chilled piece of banana if they are at least 12 months old. Make sure the teething object is not a choking hazard.
A Father’s Method
Recently we spoke to a father of a child who said he used to use a big strip of beef jerky when his son was first teething.
Mentioning, “There were no teeth in the mouth so he [his son] couldn’t rip off any part of it.”
A large enough chunk was used to not break off into pieces of course and become a choking hazard.
Quite interesting to hear other parent’s techniques for specific milestones when raising their babies, isn’t it?
Whatever works.
As long as there is counter-pressure applied on the pressure of the emerging teeth. That helps to facilitate growth of the teeth to breach the gum line.
Do not fear, relief is in reach in some variable form. Test what works and what doesn’t.
Teething mat not be the issue every time however. It could be something else. Baby sleep regression may play a role.
Over-the-Counter Teething Remedies
Over-the-counter remedies for teething are the route some take. For example, buying a baby teething gel. If you do, don’t use any medications that have the pain reliever, benzocaine or lidocaine.
Benzocaine and lidocaine are ingredients that have been associated with a rare (but serious) condition that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood.
The condition is called Methemoglobinemia.
Signs and symptoms of this condition can include headaches, confusion, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat.
So if gel for baby teething is something you use or are thinking about trying, make sure it’s safe. Double check the ingredients. For further info regarding the condition, we refer you to your child’s doctor.
How Many Teeth do Babies Have at Birth?
The progression of your toddler through this phase of life can be painful (or painless and drooly).
To grow their first set of teeth is a fun and special time for them. Your love and affection is all they need.
All 20 of the baby’s primary teeth are already in their jaw at birth.
Even though there may be some discomfort during this process, it should be a happy experience for both infant and parent.
Armed with the knowledge, you can confidently navigate through any difficulties during this period.
We hope you have a smooth transition on your baby’s journey. We’re happy to help any way we can.
To amazing future memories for you and your baby!
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